Case cleaning machine



May 8, 1962 c. J. MOHUGH, JR., ETAL 3,032,798

CASE CLEANING MACHINE Filed Feb. 9, 1960 9 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTMNE/Z May 8, 1962 c. J. MCHUGH, JR., ETAL 3,03

' CASE CLEANING MACHINE Filed Feb. 9, 1960 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 M ZW g;- 2%%Li May 8, 1962 c. J. MCHUGH, JRQ, ETAL 3,032,798

CASE CLEANING MACHINE Filed Feb. 9, 1960 9 Sheets-Sheet 3 May 8, 1962 c. J. MCHUGH, JR., ETAL 3,032,798

CASE CLEANING MACHINE Filed Feb. 9, 1960 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 ATTO A/ Y- y 8, 1962 c. J. MCHUGH, JR., ETAL 3,032,798

CASE CLEANING MACHINE 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Feb. 9, 1960 May 8, 1962 c. .1. MCHUGH, JR, ETAL 3,032,798

CASE CLEANING MACHINE 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed Feb. 9, 1960 n-rroei/ays.

May 8, 1962 c. J. MOHUGH, JR., ETAL 3,032,793

CASE CLEANING MACHINE Filed Feb. 9, 1960 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 3,032,793 CASE CLEANKNG MACEHNE Charles J. Mel-high, In, and Edward F. Rowekamp, Cincinnati, Ghio, assignors to The Lodge & Shipley Corripany, Cincinnati, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Filed Feb. 9, 1960, Ser. No. 7,641 13 Claims. (Ci. 15304) This invention relates to an automatic cleaning and handling machine which is arranged to remove dust and debris from open containers and cases which are advanced along a conveyor line.

The principles of the present invention are disclosed in relation to a machine for cleaning the containers used in packaging beer, soft drinks and the like which are returned to the bottling plant containing empty bottles. By way of example, bottled beer is shipped from the brewery packed in standard sized cases formed of heavy paperboard material, one size containing twelve quart bottles and a second size containing twenty-four twelveounce bottles. These cases are provided with a pair of hinged top cover flaps which meet along the center of the case and confine the bottles therein for convenience in stacking and handling. The bottled beer is sold either by the case or by the bottle, and in either event, the empty bottles are repacked into the case and returned to the brewery for reuse of the bottles and case.

Many times bottles are broken through accidents in handling the case, and it is returned to the brewery with the broken pieces of glass left in place. Moreover, since the cases of empty bottles often remain in storage for considerable periods of time before being returned, they are exposed to dust and dirt and also to insects and other vermin. As a consequence, the cases must be cleaned out before they can be refilled and delivered to the retailer.

It has been one of the primary objectives of the present invention to provide an automatic machine adapted to remove broken glass and other debris and to clear each case of dust in a rapid automatic manner as the cases are advanced along a production line, such that the cases are in condition to be repacked with filled bottles immediately after passing through the cleaning machine.

According to this aspect of the invention, the cases, which are returned to the bottling plant, are first emptied of bottles and are transported along a case conveyor line in upright position, and with the top flaps folded outwardly on opposite sides for access to the interior of the case. The cleaning machine is interposed in the case conveyor line so'that the empty cases advance directly to the machine, pass through it for treatment, then are returned to the conveyor line. Upon entering the machine, rapid impact blows are imparted to each case to loosen dust and any dirt which may adhere to its surface, then the case is inverted progressively to dump the loosened dirt and debris by gravity. After having been dumped, and while in inverted position, an air blast is projected against the internal surfaces of the case so as to clear away the dust or other adhering material. After this operation, the case is returned to its upright position and advanced in the same direction along the case conveyor at the opposite side of the machine to be repacked with filled bottles. c

Other objectives of the invention have been to provide a cleaning machine which is compact in size and arrangement, so as to conserve space within the bottling plant; to provide an air nozzle arrangement whereby all interior surfaces of the case are thoroughly air blasted; and to confine the dislodged dust and dirt within the cleaning machine so as to avoid contaminating the atmosphere within the bottling plant or brewery.

In order to conserve space, the cleaning machine is 3,032,798 Patented May 8, i362 ice generally cylindrical; having a cylindrical dirt collector drum mounted upon a horizontal axis, together with a guide rail structure passing in a spiral path about the drum and leading from an infeed conveyor at the receiving side of the machine. The empty cases advance along the case conveyor and along the infeed conveyor, then they are engaged by a rotary feed cage which is concentric with the collector d'rum and which advances the cases in a spiral path along the guide rail structure. As the case advances around the collector drum, a beater mechanism applies impact blows to the bottom of the case, and as the case approaches an invertedposition, the open face of the case is presented to an opening'in the upper portion of the collector drum, such that the dirt and other material dislodged by the beater mechanism is dumped through the opening into the collector drum, then the interior of the case is air blasted. I

By virtue of the spiral path through which the case is advanced, the machine conserves a great deal of space; moreover, the machine takes advantage of the spiral path to invert the case for dumping the debris and to expose all internal surfaces to the action of the air blast stream.

The air blast nozzle is mounted within the collector drum and is arranged to project the air blast streams in time with the passage of the individual cases along the opening in the upper portion of the drum. Since the art'- gle of the case changes constantly as it advances with its open face presented to the opening of the drum, the air blast impinges directly upon all internal surfaces of the case, thereby to remove the dust and dirt from all internal surfaces, even those which overhang with respect to the open face of the case. p I v I In order to confine the dust and dirt .within the collector drum, there is provided a vacuum system arranged to pull air inwardly through the openings of the collector drum so as to prevent the escape of dust into, the atmosphere. Moreover, the air blast nozzleis operated in time with the advancement'of the cases so as to avoid blowing the dust outwardly through the opening of the drum across which the cases pass.

In order to adapt the cleaning machine to the random advancement of the cases along the conveyor line of the bottling plant, the infeed conveyoris provided-with a gate mechanism which operates in time withthe rotary advancement of the feed drum. As the cases advance to the infeed conveyor, the leading case is' arrested by the gate mechanism, causing several of the cases to be held temporarily inrow formation adjacent theinfeed conveyor to be released individually in time withthe rotary motion of the feed cage, such that,the released case or container is advanced along the ,infeed conveyor to thereceiving end of the spiral guide rail structure, Thereafter, the case is engaged by, the rotary cage and advanced in its spiral path, around the drum. After. passing upwardly through the beaterrnechanism and along the opening of the drum for air blast treatment, the case advances downwardly and ,finally, reaches, the delivery section of the ,case conveyor in upright position for ad vancement from the clea ning machine. A

In order to adapt the machineto containers. of various shapes and sizes, the several components of the machine are adjustably mounted with respect to the machine frame. ,1

The various objectives and advantages of the invention will be more fully apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description taken'in conjunction with the drawings.

In. the. drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view illustrating the general arrangement of a case cleaning machine constructed ac cording to the principles of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is an end view of the machine shown in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a view looking toward the receiving side of the machine, with parts broken away to illustrate the arrangement of the collector drum and air nozzles.

FIGURE 4 is a view similar to FIGURE 3 but looking toward the opposite or discharge side of the machine.

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged general plan of the machine as viewed along line 5-5 of FIGURE 2, illustrating the driving system and infeed conveyor.

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged fragmentary end view, further illustrating the driving system in relation to the rotary feed cage.

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged top plan as viewed along line 77 of FIGURE 2, illustrating the infeed conveyor, with the gate mechanism in its arresting position.

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary top plan view, taken from FIGURE 7, showing the gate mechanism shifted to its release position, whereby the case is advanced into the cleaning machine.

FIGURE 9 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 99 of FIGURE 7, showing the adjustment device which adapts the gate mechanism to cases and containers of various sizes.

FIGURE 10 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 1010 of FIGURE 7, detailing the adjustable guide bar of the gate mechanism.

FIGURE 11 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 11-11 of FIGURE 7, detailing the swinging arm of the gate mechanism.

FIGURE 12 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 1212 of FIGURE 7, illustrating the actuating cylinder of the gate mechanism.

FIGURE 13 is an enlarged side view of the beater mechanism as viewed along line 13-13 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 14 is a sectional View taken along line l t-14 of FIGURE 13, further illustrating the beater mechanism.

General Arrangement Referring to FIGURE 1, the case cleaning machine is mounted upon a frame indicated generally at 1, and is shown as part of the production line of a bottling plant,

the empty cases being advanced to the cleaning machine upon the delivery section 2 of a case conveyor and transported from the cleaning machine by a discharge section 3 of the conveyor. In the present disclosure the machine is set up for cleaning standard sized beer cases, as indicated generally at 4, although as indicated above, the machine is intended for cleaning various other types of containers.

The beer case 4 is of the type which is fabricated from a heavy grade of paperboard material having a pair of hinged top flaps 55 which meet at the center of the case when in closed position. In handling cases of this type, the flaps 5 may be opened by hand, or the production line may be provided with means for opening the flaps, such that they are advanced to the cleaning machine with the fiaps spread outwardly as shown in FIGURE 1. As the cases are advanced to the cleaning machine, they passfrom the end of conveyor section 2 to a belt type infeed conveyor, indicated generally at 6, which forms a part of the cleaning machine, conveyor 6 being driven by a driving system 7, which also powers the several components of the cleaning machine, as explained later.

Upon reaching the infeed conveyor 6, the case advances until it is arrested by the gate mechanism, indicated gen erally at 8 (FIGURES 7 and 8). During operation of the machine, the open cases may advance at random spac ing on the conveyor section 2. The gate mechanism 8 forms the random cases into a solid row on the conveyor section 2 and releases the cases individually in time with the rotation of a feed cage, indicated generally at 10 (FIGURE 1). The rotary cage 10 rotates continuously in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIGURE 1 and advances the cases in a spiral path about the cylindrical collector drum which is indicated generally at 11. As shown in FIGURE 1, each case is advanced with its open face presented to the surface of the drum 11 and with the flap sections 5 extending outwardly on opposite sides and resting against the surface of the drum. As the case is advanced around the drum, it is held in place by a circular guide rail structure 12 which extends from the inner end of the infeed conveyor 6 (FIGURE 2). As viewed in FIGURES 3 and 4, the guide rail structure is arranged to slidably engage the bottom and opposite sides of the case and is spirally arranged with respect to the drum so as to deliver the cleaned cartons to the discharge conveyor section 3, which is offset laterally with respect to the infeed conveyor 6. Each case thus passes around the drum in a spiral path after leaving the infeed conveyor, then continues in the same direction along the production line on conveyor section 3.

As the case advances about the drum, it is intercepted by a heater mechanism, indicated generally at 13 (FIG- URE 4) which applies rapid impact blows to the bottom of the case to loosen and dislodge dust and solid particles from the interior of the case. After advancing beyond the beater, the case passes along an opening 14- forrned in the upper portion of the drum (FIGURES 3 and 4), the open face of the case being presented to the opening.

As best shown in FIGURE 3, the interior of the drum 11 includes an air blast nozzle, indicated generally at 15, arranged to project high velocity blasts of air into the inside of the case. Thus, as the case advances through its arc in an inverted position along the opening 14, any solid object such as broken glass and the like will be discharged by gravity through the opening and into the collector drum. The finer particles of material and dust, which will have been loosened by the beater 13, are then cleared from the case by operation of the air blast during further advancement of the case. Since the case is travelling in a circular path along the opening 14, its angle is constantly changing with respect to the path of the air Streams projected from the nozzle 15. The arrangement is such that the streams are projected directly upon all surfaces and corners of the case, as explained later in detail. The machine is provided with a timing apparatus which admits air pressure to the nozzle in time with the advancement of the case along the opening 14, thereby to prevent dust from being blown through the opening.

In order to prevent dust from drifting and contaminating the air, a centrifugal suction pump 16 (FIGURE 2) is connected to the collector drum 11 and arranged to draw air continuously from the drum and discharge it into an air filter or bag. The blower maintains a gentle draft downwardly into the opening 14 so as to pull the dustladen air through the drum to the filter. The interior of drum 11 includes an inclined chute 17 arranged to deliver the solid particles by gravity through an opening 18 in the end wall of the drum (FIGURE 2).

lnfeed Conveyor and Gate Mechanism The infeed conveyor, previously indicated at 6 comprises a pair of spaced side rails zit-2t) (FIGURES 5, 6 and 7) supported in a horizontal plane by vertical members 21 rising from a lower horizontal frame 22 which forms a part of the framework 1. The conveyor includes a drive roller 23 at its inner end and an idler roller 24 at its outer end, each roller having a shaft 25. The shaft of the drive roller 23 is journalled in suitable bearings 26 (FIGURE 7) attached to the side rails Ztt. The conveyor belt 27 is tracked upon the rollers and the belt tension is regulated by the adjustment screws 28 which engage the slide bearings 3tl-3il of the idler shaft 25. The shaft 25 of the drive roller 23 includes a sprocket 31 in driving connection with the driving system 7 through a sprocket chain 32 (FIGURE 5). The driving system is described in detail later, but it will be understood at this point, that both the rotary cage 10 and infeed conveyor 6 are advaneed continuously by the driving system while the machine is in operation.

In order to advance the cases in time with the advancement of cage 10, the gate mechanism 3 arrests the cases I as they advance from the conveyor section 2. As explained later in detail, the cage is provided with a series of cross bars 33 which engage each case individually after it is released by the gate mechanism, and which advances the case in its spiral path around the collector drum. As best shown in FIGURES 7 and 8, the gate mechanism 8 is provided with a fixed stop bar 34 which is mounted upon an angle bracket 35 secured to one of the side rails 25 of the infeed conveyor. The end portion of bar 34 projects above the belt 27 and in the path of advancement of the cases 4. The case is guided into engagement with the stop bar by an inclined guide bar 36 at the opposite side of the conveyor.

The conveyor belt 2'7 advances continuously while one or several cases are held in stationary position by the stop bar the cases being released individually in time with the rotary motion of the cage by an air cylinder 37. The air cylinder is arranged to shift a swinging arm 38 outwardly from the position of FIGURE 7 to that of FIG- URE 8, so as to shift the leading case laterally out of engagement with the stop bar, thus allowing the case to advance along the infeed conveyor to be engaged by one of the cross bars 33 of cage id, as indicated diagrammatically in FIGURE 6.

In order to time the release of the case, there is provided an air valve 44 (FIGURE 2) having an actuating arm 41 including a roller at its outer end adapted to be tripped by the advancing bars 33 of the cage. The valve 40 is connected to an air pressure line, as explained later, and cornmunicates by way of conduit 42 with the cylinder 37. When valve 49 is tripped by one of the bars 33, the piston of the air cylinder shifts the arm 38 outwardly to the position of FIGURE 8 to release the case. The relative speeds of the conveyor and cage are such that the released case reaches the receiving end of the guide rail structure in advance of the cross bar 33 after the bar has tripped the valve.

After the air cylinder releases the case, the arm 38 swings back to its retracted position (FIGURE 7) by op eration of a compression spring within cylinder 37. In its normal position, the valve 4% vents the conduit 42 to the atmosphere to permit the return motion of the piston under operation of the spring.

As noted earlier, the cases may be advanced at random upon the delivery conveyor section 2 toward the infeed conveyor 6. In order to properly time the release of the cases with the advancement of the feed cage it}, the stop bar 3 of the gate mechanism causes a number of cases to be arrested in solid row formation upstream from the stop. Each time the arm 33 (which operates in time with the feed cage) dislodges the leading case from the stop bar 34 for advancement to the cage, the next case in the solid row moves forwardly into engagement with the stop bar ready for the next feed cycle.

As detailed in FIGURE 11, the rearward end of swinging arm 38 includes a lug 43 which is pivotally connected to a pin 44 rising from a block which is attached to the angle bracket 35. The angle bracket is bolted directly to the side rail 2%) of the inteed conveyor, as noted earlier. The projecting rearward end of the swinging arm 38 is bent outwardly at an angle as at 45 (FIGURE 8 to form V a guide surface engageable with the advancing cases.

The air cylinder 37 (FIGURE 12) is mounted upon an angle bracket 46 rising from thebracket and bolted thereto. The piston rod 47 of the cylinder includes a slotted head 43 threaded upon its outer end, and the swinging end of arm 38 includes a slotted lug 50. A link 51 pivotally connected as at 5252 to the head lug, interconnects the piston rod to the arm. In order to dampen impacts, there is provided a rubber bumper 53 engageable with the arm 38 in its retracted position (FIG- d URE 7). The bumper 53 is mounted upon a threaded stud 54 which passes through the angle bracket 46.

The inclined guide bar as is supported by an adjustable bracket 55 (FIGURE 7), which in turn, is mounted upon a pair of fixed brackets 56 which are attached to the side rail 20 on the side opposite the swinging arm 38. The adjustable bracket is slotted as at 57 and the fixed brackets are slotted as at 58, the slots being traversed by bolts 69 to permit the adjustable bracket to be shifted with respect to the conveyor. This adjustment permits the inclined bar 36 to be shifted relative to the swinging arm 33 in accordance with the size of the case or container for which the machine is set up. In the position of the parts shown in FEGURE 7, the leading corner of the case, which is advanced to the infeed conveyor, will slide along the surface of the inclined bar 36 and thus will be guided laterally into contact With the swinging arm 38, which normally resides in retracted position against the bumper 53. The corner of the case is thus guided into abutment with the outer portion of the stop bar 34 which overhangs the conveyor belt 27.

Described in detail With reference to FIGURE 10, the rearward end of the inclined bar 36 includes a lug 61 which is pivotally connected to a pin 62. The pin rises from a block 63 attached to an angle piece 6 which is attached to the adjustable bracket 55. The rearward portion of the bar 36, adjacent the pivot pin 62, is bent outwardly as at 65 to provide a guide surface engageable with the advancing cases.

in order to provide a slight cushioning effect and to ermit final adjustment of guide bar 36, there is provided a yieldable adjustment screw, indicated generally at 66, engageable with the swinging end of bar 36. As detailed in FIGURE 9, the adjustment screw 66 includes an internal bore 67 slidably supporting a stud 68, the stud being biased by a compression spring 79 disposed within the bore and seated against the rearward end or" the stud. Screw 66 is threaded through a nut 71 which is welded as at 72 to the adjustable bracket 55. The adjustment screw 65 includes a knob 73 at its outer end and is locked in its adjusted position by a lock nut 74 adjacent the fixed nut 71.

As shown in FIGURE 7, a tension spring 75' has one end anchored as at 76 to the adjustable bracket 55 and has its opposite end anchored as at 77 to the guide bar 3. The tension spring is relatively light and holds the bar 35 in its adjusted position in contact with stud 68. The stud, by operation of the compression spring 7%, permits the bar 36 to yield slightly under impacts as the bar intercepts the cases, which advance at a relatively high speed on the inieed conveyor.

Feed (Inge and Guide Rail Structure As best shown in FIGURE 1, the collector drum 11 is mounted in fixed position upon a horizontal frame 78 formed of angle irons and supported by the legs Sit which also support the lower frame 22. The rotary cage lit comprises a pair of circular bands it-81 which are concentric with drum ii at opposite ends, the bands being channel shaped in cross section. These circular bands are joined in spaced relationship by the cross bars 33, the opposite ends of the bars being confined in blocks 82 which are attached to the inner surface of the circular bands. The circular bands are supported and driven by sets of rollers at opposite sides, consisting of drive rollers 8383 and idler rollers tit-$ (FIGURE 5).

As best shown in FIGURE 5, the rollers 33 and dd include stub shafts $5 journalled in bearing blocks 37, the blocks being mounted upon the channel irons85 of frame 1. The shaft of each drive roller 33 includes a sprocket 88 and a sprocket chain 9% passes around the sprockets $8 at opposite sides. The chains 9%) form a part of the driving system and advance both circular bands 81 at the same speed. Gne of the idler rollers $4 is arranged to drive the beater mechanism 13, as explained later;

7 Referring to FIGURES 2 and 4, the receiving end of the guide rail structure 12 comprises a flexible metal strip or band 91, which is pivotally connected to a pin 92 carried by lugs hf; on the inner end of the infeed conveyor 6. The metal strip 91 is spring loaded, as explained later, and is arranged to slidably engage the bottom of the case or container so as to hold the open face in contact with the surface of the drum 11 as the case is advanced by the cross bars 33 of the rotary cage. As shown in FIGURE 2, strip 91 is generally concentric with the periphery of drum l1 and is spirally arranged relative to the axis of the drum, as view in FIGURE 4.

As the cases are released by the gate and advanced by the infeed conveyor, they stop at the receiving end of the metal strip 91, approximately as indicated in broken lines in FIGURE 2, then they are engaged by the advancing cross bar 33 and transported upwardly about the drum ill. During advancement of the case, its opposite sides are guided by a pair of side guide bars 94-94 (FIGURE 4), which reside on opposite sides of the strip 91 and which are also concentric with the drum. The bars F4 are spaced outwardly on opposite sides of the strip 91 in a position to slidably contact the opposite sides of the advancing case. It will be noted in FIGURE 2 that the cross bars 33 of the cage are located inwardly of the guide bars 9-i94 and pass in a concentric path about the drum.

The lower ends of the guide bars are anchored upon adjustable angle brackets 9595 which are mounted upon respective fixed brackets 96 attached to the side rails 2b of the infecd conveyor. The angle brackets 95 are slotted transversely, adapting the side guide bars to be adjusted in accordance with the size of the case or container; the brackets are secured in adjusted position by screws d7 threaded into the fixed brackets 96. The opposite ends of the guide bars are anchored upon similar adjustable brackets 95. (FIGURE 3) which are bolted as at Hill to the frame 161 of the discharge conveyor section, previously indicated at 3. As shown in FIGURES 3 and 4, the intermediate portions of the guide bars 94-94- are held in spaced relationship by pairs of adjustable brackets 1ll2-lltl2 secured to the horizontal frame 73. These brackets also include slots traversed by screws 163 which clamp the brackets and guide oars transversely in adjusted position with respect to the frame 78.

The upper end of the flexible guide strip 91 is slidably connected to a central guide bar 1M which forms a continuation of the flexible strip 91 (FEGURE 4). As shown in this view, the end of the central guide bar we is anchored in a socket Th5 which is secured to the horizontal frame '73. The upper end of the stri 91 includes a slide block 16 6 slidably engaged upon the bar 104. A spring 15 is confined in compression between the socket NS and block 1% so as to pull the end of strip 91 upwardly. By virtue of this tension, the flexible strip 91 holds the open face of the case or container firmly against the periphery of the drum II as the case is carried upwardly from the infeed conveyor by the advancing cross bar.

As shown in FIGURE 3, the opposite end of the central guide bar N94 is anchored to a bracket 1&8, which is also bolted to the frame 78. A curved delivery plate lit? extends from the frame 78 as a continuation of the central guide bar 164 and slidably supports the cases or containers as they are advanced to the conveyor section 3 after having been cleaned.

Bearer Mechanism As best shown in FIGURES 2 and 4, the beater mechanism 13 is mounted upon the frame 73 adjacent the upper portion of the curved metal strip 91 in a position to act upon the bottoms of the advancing cases. As detailed in FIGURES 13 and 14, the mechanism includes a U- shaped frame having uprights lllll11 joined by a cross member 112. The lower portion of each upright includes u bearings 1il3l13 journalled upon a drive shaft lid. The drive shaft 114 is journalled in bearings 115-415 mounted upon hearing brackets 116 rising from frme '73. The U-shaped frame is thus pivotally supported upon shaft lid and may be adjusted with respect to the circular guide rail 12 to accommodate the size of the containers. For this purpose, a bolt 117 projects outwardly from frame 78 and passes through the cross piece 112 (FIGURE 14). Nuts 113, threaded on bolt 117 engage the opposite sides of the cross piece 112 and clamp the frame in its adjusted position, as indicated by the arrow in FIGURE 14.

The upper portion of the frame 111 includes a heater shaft 12%) ournalled in a second pair of bearings 113- 113. The heater shaft includes heaters or vanes 121 formed of flexible belting or the like, which are attached as at 122 to the shaft. The individual heaters are arranged in pairs, the two pairs being disposed at right angles to one another and spaced along the shaft in position to act upon the bottom of the case as it approaches the opening 14 of the collector drum.

Referring to FIGURES 5 and 6, the heater is driven by one of the idler rollers 84 which supports cage it), the stub shaft 86 of the roller having a gear 123 keyed thereto and meshing with a gear 124 keyed to a shaft 125 which is journalled in a bearing block 126. Stub shaft 125 includes a sprocket 127 for driving the beater mechanism. For this purpose, the drive shaft 114 (FIGURE 13) includes a sprocket 128 driven by a sprocket chain 136 which passes about the lower sprocket 27. The drive shaft 114 includes a sprocket 131 having a chain 132 which drives a sprocket 133 on the beater shaft 1%. Rotation of the idler roller rotates the beate 121 in the direction indicated by the arrows in FEGURES 6 and 14. The speed ratio provided by the idler roller drive imparts sufiicient velocity to the heaters to provide the desired impact blows.

As the case travels upwardly in its circular path about the collector drum after having passed the beater mechanism, it is progressively inverted, causing any loose materials within it, such as broken glass or the like, to be dumped by gravity through the opening 14 to fall on the inclined chute 17 of the drum. Finer particles, such as dirt and dust which may adhere to certain areas of the case are subsequently dislodged as the case advances over the air blast nozzles 15.

Collector Drum and Air Pressure System As the case passes along the opening 14 and is acted upon by the heaters, it is supported by a pair of arc-uate rails 134134 (FIGURES 2 and 3) which engage the open face of the case. After passing beyond the beater mechanism, the interior of the case is subjected to an air blast from the nozzle 15 to thoroughly clean out any fine particles which may adhere to the interior of the case. As noted earlier, since the case is travelling in a circular path along the opening, its angle continuously changes with respect to the path of the air streams issuing from the nozzle 15. As the case first approaches the nozzle, the air blast is projected along the inner surface of the leading wall then into the juncture or corner of the leading wall and bottom. During further advancement, the air blasts are projected along the inner surface or the bottom, into the trailing end of the case, and finally along the inner surface of the trailing end wall. Air blast streams are also projected upon the inner surface of the side walls and into the side corners of the case as it advances relative to the nozzle 15. The angular motion of the case, combined with the action of the blast streams, thus causes complete removal of the dust and dirt and prevents the dislodged material from settling upon overhanging surfaces, such as the inturned lip which is usually formed at the open face of the case.

Described in detail with reference to FIGURES l, 2 and 3, the air nozzle 15 comprises a pair of jet fittings 135-435 mounted upon an air operated relay valve 136 9 which communicates with an air pressure conduit 137 passing through the collector drum ll. e an conduit 137 is in communication with an air supply line 138 leading from a suitable source of air pressure. Air line 138 includes a filter Md of commercial design and a pressure regulator 14!. A cut off valve 142 is inserted in the line in advance of the filter. The air pressure for the nozzle 15 is is supplied by the branch air line M3 on the downstream side of the pressure regulator. The air line 138 also includes an oil feeder 1 5-4, which introduces traces of oil into the air stream for lubricating the components of the air supply system.

The operation of the nozzle is regulated by an air valve 145 having an actuating arm 146 including a roller at its outer end. The roller intercepts the cross bars 33 of the cage and thus trips the valve, similar to the valve 40, described earlier with reference to the gate mechanism.

In order to provide a sustained air jet during passage of the case across nozzle 35', the valve 145 includes a dashpot (not shown), which closes the valve after a time delay period. The valve 145 is connected to the relay valve 136 of the nozzle by a control conduit 147. When valve 145 is tripped by one of the cross bars 33 air pressure is advanced from the valve by way of control conduit 147 (FIGURE 2) to the relay valve 136. Relay valve 136 then opens to permit air pressure to flow directly from supply line 137 through the nozzle. After the time delay for which the dashpot is set, air pressure in control line 147 is relieved, thus closing the relay valve 136. The arrangement is such that air blasts, which are initiated by the cross bars 33, are timed with the passing of the cases across the opening 14.

It will be understood that the valve 145 starts the air blasts in time with the advancement of the case so that the blast intercepts the leading end of the case and is terminated at the trailing end of the case. In order to accommodate for the variation in the size of the different case or containers which may be processed by machine, the angle of the nozzle 15' may be adjusted relative to the opening 14 to meet the oncoming cases. in addition, the dashpot of the valve 145 may be adjusted to vary the duration of the blast in accordance with the size of the case.

Since the air blast nozzle is activated only while the case is in a position to intercept the blast streams, the foreign materials within the case are deflected directly into the interior of the collector drum. Moreover, the timed operation of the nozzle prevents dust from being blown outwardly through the opening M, which could occur if the air blasts were sustained continuously.

The gate control valve ll which regulates the action of the gate mechanism, as previously described, is connected with the supply line 133 by a branch line 15%. It will be noted (FIGURE 3) that the valves it and 1&5 are both mounted upon brackets 5.51 of frame 78 and are spaced inwardly from the circular track $1, such that the respective actuating roller arms 41 and 146 are positioned to e tripped by the cross bars 33 of the cage. The arrangement is such that both valves are tripped at about the same time by the advancing cross bars, so as to reiease one case upon the intake conveyor, while a previously release-d case is being acted upon by the air blast nozzle.

As viewed in FIGURES l and 2, the collector drum ll is supported relative to the frame '73 by respective angle irons 152 welded or otherwise secured to the oppposite end walls 153 of the drum, the angle irons Edit being bolted to the frame '73. The suction pump is is mounted upon the lower frame 22 (FlGURE 2) and is interconnected with the end wall 153 of drum ill by an air duct 154;. The pump is supported by a base 1555 joined to frame 22, and is driven by a motor 15:: (FIGURE 4) which is also mounted on the frame 22. The suction pump 16 discharges into a filter unit or bag H57, of conventional design, which separates the dust particles from air streams which pass through the filter. The suction system pulls air from the drum at a sufficient rate to create a slight draft inwardly by way of the openings 14 and 13 so as to prevent the dislodged dust from drifting from the drum. The front wall 153 of the drum is provided with a projecting lip 158 leading from the inclined chute 17 and arranged to deliver the solid particles to a container which may be placed adjacent the opening 18 during operation of the machine.

Driving System As best shown in FIGURES 5 and 6, the entire machine, with the exception of the vacuum apparatus, is powered by a main motor indicated at 159 mounted upon an adjustable base 160. The motor includes a variable speed pulley 161 belted as at 1-62 to a second variable speed pulley 163, which drives a speed reduction unit 164. The speed reduction unit and motor are mounted upon a platform 165 which forms a part of the lower frame 22.

The drive rollers 83 of cage 16, and the infeed conveyor 6 are both driven by a jack shaft 166 which is iournalled in bearing blocks 16? carried by the frame 222. The speed reduction unit 164 includes a sprocket 11.68 in driving connection with a sprocket 17d of the jack shaft by a sprocket chain 171. The base 16% of motor 15$ in cludes a hand Wheel 1722 which shifts the motor relative to the reduction unit 164 and thus varies the speed of the jack shaft through operation of the variable speed pulleys 1'61 and 163.

The opposite ends of the jack shaft 166 each include a sprocket 173, the sprocket chain 90 of drive rollers 63 being trained about the sprockets 173 for driving the cage 10'. The infeed conveyor is driven by a sprocket 174 keyed to the jack shaft adjacent the sprocket 170. The chain 32 of the infeed conveyor is trained about the sprocket 1'74, thereby to drive the infeed conveyor at a speed which is timed with the speed of the feed cage.

In order to prevent damage in the event a case or container should become jammed in the machine, the driving sprocket is connected to the jack shaft 166 through an overload clutch 1'75. This clutch is a commercial struc;- ture and has not been disclosed in detail; however, it will be understood that the clutch is arranged to disconnect the sprocket 170 from the shaft when a predetermined overload develops. The clutch includes a coupling ele ment 176 which shifts outwardly upon disengagement under overload. In order to reset the cltuch, there is provided a manually operated pull rod 177 supported in slide brackets lld lig and connected tothe swinging end of a lever lull. Lever 18b is pivotally connected as at 181 to the frame 22 and is connected as at 182 to the coupling element 176. The outer end of pull rod 177 includes a handle 183 which is pulled outwardly to reset the clutch.

Having described our invention, we claim:

1. An automatic machine for removing materials from containers having an open face comprising, a cylindrical collector drum mounted upon a generally horizontal axis, guide means extending about said collector drum adapted to guide the containers about the external periphery of said cylindrical collector drum with the open face of each container confined by the guide means in sliding contact with the periphery of the cylindrical collector drum, feeding means associated'with the drum and adapted to advance said containers along said guide means, said drum having an opening in a portion thereof which faces upwardly, said opening being disposed in the path of motion of said containers along said guide means, whereby said containers pass across said opening in' a position at least partially inverted and with the open face thereof presented downwardly to said opening, causing the materials within the containers to be dumped by gravity into the collector drum.

2. An automatic machine for removing dust and other a materials from containers having an open face comprising,

a cylindrical collector drum mounted upon a subsantially horizontal axis, means adapted to advance the containers about said drum with the open face of each container presented to the external periphery of the cylindrical collector drum, the periphery of the cylindrical collector drum providing a guide surface adapted to slidably engage the open face portion of the container during advancement thereof, said drum having an opening in a portion thereof which faces upwardly, said opening being disposed in the path of motion of said containers about the drum, adapting said containers to swing through an inverted position across the opening with the open face of the containers presented downwardly to said opening, causing non-adhering materials within the containers to be dumped by gravity into the collector drum, and air blast means disposed within the drum and adapted to project air blast streams into the interior surface of said inverted containers during advancement thereof along the said opening, the curvature of said drum adapting the angular relationship of the inverted containers to change progressively during advancement relative to said air blast means, whereby said air blast streams are projected directly against all the internal surfaces of the containers to remove adhering dust and other materials from said surfaces.

3. An automatic machine for removing dust and other materials from containers having an open face comprising a generally cylindrical collector drum mounted upon a substantially horizontal axis, guide means extending about the cylindrical collector drum means adapted to advance the containers about said drum with the open face of the containers confined by the guide means in sliding engagement with the external periphery of the drum, said drum having an opening in a portion thereof which faces upwardly, said opening being disposed in the path of motion of said containers about the drum, adapting said containers to pass across said opening in an inverted position with the open face of the containers presented downwardly to said opening, thereby causing non-adhering materials within the containers to be dumped by gravity into the collector drum, air blast means disposed wtihin the drum and adapted to project air blast streams into the interior surface of said inverted containers during advancement thereof along the said opening, the curvature of said drum adapting the angular relationship of the inverted containers to change progressively during advancement relative to said air blast means, whereby said air blast streams are projected directly against all the internal surfaces of the containers to remove adhering dust and other materials from said surfaces, and air suction means communicating with said drum and adapted to draw air inwardly through the opening in the drum, thereby to draw from the drum the dust which is dislodged from the containers by said air blast means.

4. An automatic machine for removing dust and other materials from containers having an open face comprising, collector means having a cylindrical guide surface disposed about a generally horizontal axis, guide means extending about the collector means and spaced outwardly in concentric relationship with the cylindrical guide surface thereof, said guide means engaging the containers and confining the open face portion thereof in sliding engagement with the cylindrical guide surface of the collector means, means adapted to advance the containers in a spiral path about said guide surface, said guide surface having an opening in a portion thereof which faces upwardly, said opening being disposed in the path of motion of said containers, adapting said containers to pass across said opening in an inverted position with the open face thereof presented downwardly with respect to said opening, beater means mounted adjacent said guide surface in the path of motion of the containers and adapted to apply impact blows to said containers during passage thereof about the guide surface, air blast means adapted to project air blast streams upon the interior surfaces of the container during advancement thereof along said opening, whereby adhering dust and other materials are dislodged from the container by said heater mechanism and are dumped from the open face of the container through said opening during passage along said opening while residual dust and materials adhering to said surfaces are cleared away by said air blast means.

5. An automatic machine for removing dust and other materials from containers having an open face comprising, a cylindrical collector drum mounted upon a generally horizontal axis, guide means extending about said cylindrical collector drum in concentric relationship thereto adapted to engage the containers, means adapted to advance the containers about said drum in a spiral path with the open face of each container slidably engaged against the surface of the cylindrical collector by said guide means, said drum having an opening in a portion thereof which faces upwardly, said opening being disposed in the path of motion of said containers about the drum, adapting said containers to pass across said opening in an inverted position with the open face thereof presented downwardly to said opening, beater means mounted adjacent said drum and adapted to apply impact blows to said containers during passage thereof across said opening, and air blast means mounted within said drum and adapted to project air blast streams upon the interior surfaces of the container during advancement thereof along said opening, whereby adhering dust and other materials are dislodged from the container surfaces by said heater mechanism and dumped into the drum during passage along said opening, while residual dust and materials adhering to said surfaces are cleared away by said air blast means, the curvature of said drum causing the angular relationship of the container to change progressively during advancement relative to said air blast nozzle, whereby said air blast streams are projected directly against substantially all the internal surfaces of the container.

6. An automatic machine for removing dust and other materials from containers having an open face comprising, a cylindrical collector drum, a cylindrical feed cage mounted for rotation in substantially concentric relationship with such drum and adapted to advance the containers about said drum with the open face of each container presented to the drum, said drum having an opening in a portion thereof which faces upwardly, said opening being disposed in the path of motion of said containers about the drum, whereby said containers pass across said opening in a position at least partially inverted and with the open face thereof presented to said opening, causing the materials within the containers to be dumped by gravity into the collector drum, air blast means disposed within the drum and adapted to project air blast streams into the interior surface of the cases during advancement thereof along the said opening, and timer means connected to the air blast means, said timer means mounted in a position to be actuated by the feed cage in time with the rotary motion thereof, said timer means adapted to supply air ressure to the air blast means in time with the advance ment of the containers across said opening, whereby the air blast means is adapted to remove adhering dust from the interior surfaces of the case.

7. An automatic machine for removing materials from containers having an open face comprising, a generally cylindrical collector drum mounted upon a horizontal axis, an infeed conveyor extending along a horizontal plane adjacent the collector drum and adapted to advance the containers toward the drum with the open face thereof presented upwardly, a generally circular guide rail structure extending in a spiral path from the infeed conveyor and about said cylindrical collector drum, said circular guide rail structure being spaced outwardly from the cylindrical collecter drum and being concentric therewith, said circular guide rail structure adapted to guide the containers from the end of the infeed conveyor and about said drum with the open side of the container presented to the external periphery of the drum and confined by the guide rail structure in sliding engagement with the surface of the cylindrical drum, a cylindrical feed cage mounted for rotation about a horizontal axis in a path generally concentric with said drum, said feed cage including elements engageable with the containers therein for advancing said containers along said guide rail structure, said drum having an opening disposed in the path of motion of said containers, said guide rail structure and drum adapting the containers to assume an inverted position with the open side presented downwardly to said opening during advancement by said feed cage, whereby the materials within the container are dumped by gravity into the collector drum during advancement around the drum.

8. An automatic machine for removing dust and other materials from containers having an open face comprising, a generally cylindrical collector drum mounted on a horizontal axis, an infeed conveyor extending along a substantially horizontal plane and adapted to advance the containers toward the drum with the open faces thereof presented upwardly, a cylindrical feed cage mounted for rotation about a horizontal axis in a path generally concentric with said drum, guide means extending about the cylindrical collector drum, said guide means being substantially concentric with the cylindrical collector drum and adapted to confine the containers for movement about the periphery of the collector drum with the open face portion of the containers in sliding engagement with the external periphery of the drum, said feed cage including pusher elements engageable with the containers slidably confined by said guide means for advancing the containers about the drum with the open face of each container presented to the external periphery of the drum, the upper portion of the drum having an opening therein in the path of motion of the containers to receive the material therefrom, gate means mounted relative to the infeed conveyor and normally residing in a position to arrest the containers thereon, actuating means connected to the gate means for shifting the same to a release position adapting the gate means to release an individual container, and means interconnecting said cage and gate actuating means and adapted to shift the gate means to said release position in time with the rotary advancement of the cage, whereby the containers are released individually and advanced to a position to be engaged by said pusher elements in time with the rotary advancement of the feed cage.

9. An automatic machine for removing dust and other materials from containers having an open face comprising, a generally cylindrical collector drum mounted on a horizontal axis, an infeed conveyor extending along a substantially horizontal plane and adapted to advance the containers toward the drum with the open faces thereof presented upwardly, a stationary guide rail structure extending around said drum in concentric relationship therewith, said guide rail structure adapted to guide the container from said infeed conveyor about said drum with the open face portion of the containers confined by the guide rail structure in sliding engagement with the external periphery of the cylindrical collector drum, a feed cage mounted for rotation about a horizontal axis in a path generally concentric with said drum, said feed cage including pusher elements extending transversely across the guide rail structure and engageable with the containers therein for advancing the containers along said guide rail structure, gate means mounted relative to the infeed conveyor and normally residing in a position to arrest the containers thereon, actuating means connected to the gate means for shifting the same to a release position adapting the gate means to release an individual container, and means interconnecting said cage and gate actuating means and adapted to shift the gate means to said release position in time with the rotary advancement of the cage, whereby the containers are released individually and advanced to a position to be engaged 14 by said pusher elements in time with the rotary advancement of the feed cage.

10. An automatic machine for removing dust and other materials from containers having an open face comprising, a generally cylindrical collector drum mounted on a horizontal axis, stationary guide means extending around the said cylindrical drum in concentric relationship therewith, said guide means adapted to engage the containers with the open face portion thereof in sliding engagement with the cylindrical surface of the collector drum, an infeed conveyor extending along a substantially horizontal plane and adapted to advance the containers toward the drum with the open faces thereof presented upwardly, a cylindrical feed cage mounted for rotation about a horizontal axis in a path generally concentric with said drum, said feed cage including pusher elements extending transversely through the guide rail structure and engageable with the containers therein for advancing the containers about the drum with the open face of each container presented to the external periphery of the drum, the upper portion of the drum having an opening therein in the path of motion of the containers to receive the material therefrom, gate means mounted relative to the infeed conveyor and normally residing in a position to arrest the containers thereon, actuating means connected to the gate means for shifting the same to a release position, said gate means adapted to release an individual container upon being shifted to said release position, a timing device mounted for actuation by the pusher elements of the feed cage, said timing device being interconnected with said actuating device for shifting the gate mechanism to said release position in time with the rotary advancement of the pusher elements of the cage, whereby the containers are released individually and advanced to a position to be engaged by said pusher elements in time with the rotary advancement of the feed cage.

11. An automatic machine for removing dust and other materials from containers having an open face comprising, a generally cylindrical collector drum mounted on a horizontal axis, an infeed conveyor extending along a substantially horizontal plane and adapted to advance the containers toward the drum with the open faces thereof presented upwardly, stationary spiral guide rail structure extending around said drum and adapted to guide the container from said infeed conveyor about said drum with the open face of the containers presented to the external periphery of the drum, cylindrical feed cage mounted for rotation about a horizontal axis in a path generally concentric with said drum, said feed cage including pusher elements extending transversely through the guide rail structure and engageable with the containers therein for advancing the containers individually along said guide rail structure, said collector drum having an opening disposed in the path of advancement of said containers, said pusher elements adapted to advance said containers along said opening with the open face of the container presented to the opening, an air blast nozzle mounted within the drum and arranged to direct blast streams of air through the said opening and into the interior of the containers passing thereover, and timer means mounted adjacent said feed cage in position to be actuated by the said pusher elements, said timer means interconnected with said air blast nozzle and adapted to actuate the same in time with the advancement of the containers along said opening.

12. In an automatic machine for removing materials from containers having an open face, said machine having a generally cylindrical collector drum and having a cylindrical feed cage mounted for rotation in a path generally concentric with said drum, said feed cage including spaced pusher elements engageable with the containers individually, an infeed conveyor comprising, a substantially horizontal frame mounted adjacent said drum, a conveyor belt carried by said frame and adapted to advance the containers toward the drum, guide means mounted along one side of said frame above the conveyor belt, a stationary stop element mounted on said conveyor frame on the side opposite said guide means, said guide means adapted to deflect a container on said conveyor belt in a lateral direction and into engagement with said stop element, thereby to arrest the container on the conveyor belt, a shiftable element pivotally mounted on said frame on the side occupied by the said stationary stop element and in a position upstream relative to the stop element, said shiftable element normally residing in a retracted position and being adapted to dislodge a container arrested by said stop means upon being shifted to a release position, actuating means operatively connected to said shiftable element, a timer mounted adjacent said feed cage in a position to be actuated by the pushers thereof, said timer being connected with said actuating means and adapted to shift said shiftable element to said release position upon actuation of the timer by said pushers, whereby the arrested containers are released individually and advanced by the infeed conveyor toward said feed cage in time with the advancement of the pushers thereof.

13. In an automatic machine for removing materials from containers having an open face, said machine having a generally cylindrical collector drum and having a cylindrical feed cage mounted for rotation in a path generally concentric with said drum, said feed cage including spaced pushers engageable with the containers individually, an infeed conveyor comprising, a substantially horizontal frame mounted adjacent said drum, a conveyor belt carried by said frame and adapted to advance the containers toward the drum, a guide bar mounted along one side of said frame above the conveyor and residing in an inwardly inclined position relative to the path of advancement of the conveyor belt, a stationary stop element mounted on said conveyor frame on the side opposite said guide bar, said guide bar adapted to deflect a container on said conveyor belt in a lateral direction and into engagement with said stop element, thereby to arrest the containers on the conveyor belt, a swinging arm pivotally mounted relative to the conveyor frame on the side occupied by said stationary stop element in an upstream position relative to the stop element, said arm normally residing in a retracted position and adapted to dislodge a container arrested by said stop means upon being shifted to a release poistion, actuating means operatively connected to said arm, a timer mounted adjacent said rotary feed cage in a position to be actuated by the pushers thereof, said timer being connected with said actuating means and adapted to shift said swinging arm to said release position upon actuation of the timer by said pushers, whereby the arrested containers are released individually and advanced by the infeed conveyor toward said cage in time with the advancement of the pushers thereof.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,836,802 Johnson Dec. 15, 1931 2,119,596 Mintert et a1 June 7, 1938 2,354,308 Everett July 25, 194 2,369,575 Kay Feb. 13, 1945 2,546,281 Talbot Mar. 27, 1951 2,662,653 Bianchi et al Dec. 15, 1953 2,832,090 Ross Apr. 29, 1958 2,982,985 Hohenadel et a1 May 9, 1961 

